Vendor Development & Purchasing

JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy Manager / Manager Purchasing & Vendor Development

Department - Purchasing / Supply Chain / Vendor Development

Reporting To - Senior Manager / Head Purchasing / Supply Chain / Operations

Location Mundhawa, Pune

Position Purpose

The Deputy Manager / Manager Purchasing & Vendor Development will be responsible for strategic sourcing, purchasing, supplier identification and development, cost optimization, technical feasibility evaluation, and supplier performance management. The role requires sound technical knowledge of Forging and Precision Machining processes and the ability to coordinate effectively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and components.
• Identify potential suppliers and conduct techno-commercial evaluations.
• Float RFQs, obtain quotations, prepare cost comparisons, and support supplier selection.
• Conduct commercial negotiations to achieve competitive cost and business objectives.
• Support Purchase Order release and ensure timely availability of materials and components.
• Develop alternate sources to reduce supply risk and dependency on single suppliers.
• Support localization, import substitution, and cost reduction initiatives.

2. Vendor Development

• Identify and develop suppliers for Forgings, Precision Machining, Castings, Fabrication, and engineering components.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments covering technology, machinery, capacity, quality systems, manpower, and infrastructure.
• Support suppliers in developing manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, and inspection systems.
• Monitor supplier development plans and ensure achievement of project milestones.
• Develop suppliers from initial assessment through sample development and series production readiness.
• Drive supplier improvement in Quality, Cost, Delivery, Productivity, and Capacity.

3. Technical Knowledge Forging

• Knowledge of Hot Forging, Cold Forging, Closed Die Forging, and Open Die Forging.
• Understanding of raw material selection, billet preparation, heating, forging operations, trimming, and heat treatment.
• Knowledge of forging dies, tooling concepts, grain flow, metallurgical requirements, and mechanical properties.
• Understanding of forging defects, process capability, material yield, scrap reduction, and productivity improvement.
• Ability to evaluate forging supplier capability, capacity, manufacturing feasibility, and cost structure.

4. Technical Knowledge Machining

• Knowledge of CNC Turning, VMC, HMC, Grinding, and 3-Axis / 4-Axis / 5-Axis machining.
• Understanding of machining process planning, cutting tools, fixtures, and work-holding concepts.
• Knowledge of cutting parameters including speed, feed, depth of cut, cycle time, and tool life.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, critical dimensions, tolerances, and surface finish requirements.
• Knowledge of CMM, gauges, inspection systems, machine capability, and process capability.
• Ability to assess machining capacity, productivity, cycle time, and manufacturing feasibility.

5. Costing & Cost Reduction

• Prepare and review should-cost models for Forging and Machining components.
• Understand raw material cost, material yield, scrap, machine hour rate, cycle time, tooling, labour, overhead, and logistics costs.
• Conduct cost benchmarking and support commercial negotiations.
• Drive cost reduction through VA/VE, VAVE, localization, alternate sourcing, and productivity improvement.
• Monitor and report cost savings and cost avoidance projects.

6. New Product & Supplier Development

• Participate in new product development from RFQ and feasibility stage.
• Coordinate with Engineering and suppliers for manufacturing feasibility and process development.
• Monitor sample development and project timelines.
• Support APQP and PPAP activities.
• Ensure smooth transition from development to series production.
• Escalate critical technical, quality, capacity, and timeline risks.

7. Supplier Quality & Performance Management

• Monitor supplier performance related to Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, and Responsiveness.
• Coordinate with SQA and Quality teams to resolve supplier quality issues.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions using structured problem-solving methods.
• Participate in supplier audits and improvement programs.
• Support continuous improvement and Zero Defect initiatives.

Required Knowledge of Quality Tools

• APQP and PPAP
• PFMEA and Control Plan
• Process Flow Diagram
• 8D Problem Solving
• Root Cause Analysis and 5 Why
• SPC and MSA
• Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Lean Manufacturing

Preferred Component / Commodity Experience

• Forged Components
• Precision Machined Components
• Crankshafts
• Automotive Chassis Components
• Axle, Transmission, and Steering Components
• Heavy Engineering Components

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Annual Cost Reduction and Cost Avoidance
• New Supplier Development
• Supplier Development Lead Time
• On-Time Project Completion
• Supplier Quality Performance / PPM
• Supplier On-Time Delivery
• VAVE / VA-VE Savings
• Localization Achievement
• RFQ to PO Cycle Time
• Supplier Capacity Availability
• Reduction in Single Source Dependency

Educational Qualification

BE / B. Tech in Mechanical, Production, Automobile, or Manufacturing Engineering. MBA in Supply Chain / Operations / Procurement will be an added advantage.

Experience Required

Typically 815 years of relevant experience in Purchasing, Strategic Sourcing, Vendor Development, Supplier Quality, Forging, Precision Machining, Automotive, or Engineering Manufacturing.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong negotiation and commercial skills
• Technical and analytical capability
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Supplier relationship management
• Cross-functional coordination
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Result orientation and ownership

Job Objective Summary

To develop a technically capable, cost-competitive, and sustainable supplier base while ensuring achievement of organizational objectives related to Quality, Cost, Delivery, New Product Development, Localization, Capacity, and Continuous Improvement.